It was cloudy at dawn.

The morning sun was like fire.

The blazing red sun rose from the eastern sea, and the darkness began to fade before sunrise. Numerous rays of light thrashed through the clouds. Light and darkness intertwined with each other. As the sun rose, all the clouds in the sky were illuminated into a brilliant picture of light and darkness.

The light pierced the clouds and pa.s.sed through the sky. The gloom was fading, and the bright light was falling from the sky, shining on the distant sea, scattering among the flowers and plants of Changdao, filling the tall buildings and large mansions of the city. Everything seemed to happen in an instant, yet it seemed to be everlasting.

It was a sunny day.

Facing the sunshine of the third day, Li Tianlan slowly stepped over the gra.s.s under his feet, his mind calm and serene.

The final battle was drawing near. Since the end of the meeting on the first day, Li Tianlan seemed to have completely let go of everything. He stopped meditating and studying Martial Arts. Moreover, he quickly adjusted his mental state, making it empty and pure. In just one day, he seemed to have adjusted himself to the best condition.

The morning wind floated in the air with the fragrance of vegetation. Unhurriedly, Li Tianlan ascended a sod-covered hill.

It was arguably one of the highest places in the clubhouse. If a person stood at the top of the hill and looked down, most of the clubhouse would be in his view. The lake in the distance gently rippled, flowers swayed, and the leisure area was crowded with people. The club, which had been closed down, encountered the busiest period since it was founded. Cars came in and then went out, one after another. The whole clubhouse seemed to be operating something in an orderly and secretive way.

Li Tianlan watched all these quietly, with a glimmer of incomprehensible amus.e.m.e.nt on his lips.

At present, Li Tianlan’s realm had steadily stopped in the stabilization phase of the Ice-condensing Realm. Under the stimulation of the potion named Surge, his realm, on the surface, was the stabilization phase of the Fire-flaming Realm. As for the actual combat power, even Li Tianlan himself could not predict it unless he was fully engaged the enemy. When both the realm and unique techniques encountered bottleneck, there was no point in meditating and studying unique techniques. At the very least, it was unlikely to do much better in the coming final battle. It would add more psychological burden to him instead.

Li Tianlan did not know when the final battle would break out, but he had decided to relax his mind most thoroughly before the outbreak of the final battle and truly adjust himself to the strongest state to face everything.

Although his realm was not high, he was a fighting force that no one could ignore if his martial inheritance, const.i.tution, talent, and willpower were combined. At the critical moment of the final battle, any one of the experts above the Thunder-shocking Realm should exert their supposed strength.

“How are we prepared?”

Li Tianlan stood at the top of the mountain and looked down. He asked suddenly, his tone soft and calm.

“The last batch of weapons will be in place within twelve hours, through a special channel of Samsara Palace.”

Behind him, Deep Dream replied earnestly. Under the circ.u.mstances that the few Super Masters of Samsara Palace had left the clubhouse, Sigh City provided Li Tianlan with the most direct protection. For most of the time, either Deep Dream or Sunset Shadow would appear within 20 meters of Li Tianlan at any time, and the cases that the two appeared at the same time were even more often.

Deep Dream, Sunset Shadow.

In recent years, they had been the two most active a.s.sa.s.sins of Sigh City in the outside world. Although they were not masters a half step to Invincible Realm, for a.s.sa.s.sins, in many cases, the level of the realm was not the most crucial factor. Now they were not at the top of the killer list, but with their close protection, Li Tianlan’s degree of safety could be guaranteed.

“Samsara Palace…”

Li Tianlan’s body stiffened. After a long while, he nodded and muttered to himself again, “Well, Samsara Palace…”

His eyes were still calm, but there was a sudden quiver in his heart. A sense of subtle yet profound powerlessness and melancholy, which he was unable to capture and control, swept over his nerves in a moment.

He and Qin Weibai…

They lost touch with each other again.

He couldn’t get through to her, and no one answered the video call. What was worse, there was no response to his message.

Duke, Horsewoman, and Flaming Fire had completely disappeared. In a series of plans of Zhongzhou State, the whole Samsara Palace seemed invisible, without leaving a trace.

Li Tianlan sighed softly in a trance.

In just a few days, invisibly, Qin Weibai seemed to erase all traces of her deliberately.

There was no disagreement or quarrel between the two. The last time they made the video call, Qin Weibai was as gentle as water. However, in her gentleness and sentimentally attached love to him, the two seemed to drift away gradually. Everything about Samsara Palace began to leave him, and Sigh City appeared by his side.

Li Tianlan did not know what Qin Weibai was thinking, but he felt her cruelty and resolution from a series of secretive actions of her.

He shook his head, trying to hold back his inner emotional turmoil, and calmed himself down again.

It seemed that the extremely enclosed living environment since his childhood had constrained his mind. Whether in the primeval forest or the prison in the desert, Li Tianlan had his own goals and knew what to do.

Li Tianlan left the Li family’s campsite and went to Huating. In the face of the general trend in this big world, he had his moments of loss, of perturbation, of fear, and of self-abas.e.m.e.nt. Under the circ.u.mstances, he acquainted himself with Qin Weibai, Yu Donglai, Li Baitian, and Ning Qiancheng. He had his brothers and woman, and he witnessed the turbulence of the world. Having been influenced unconsciously by them, his anxiety about his first entry into the world seemed to have subsided completely. His road was right ahead of him.

Now, however, as Samsara Palace separated itself from him and Qin Weibai lost contact with him on purpose, Li Tianlan realized that his self-perceived peace was, in fact, only an illusion. The sense of integration with the outside world was even brought mainly to him by Qin Weibai. When Qin Weibai disappeared, his sense of isolation from the world suddenly began to reappear, so clear and distinct.

He was no longer perturbed, but he was at a loss.

He had his own goals, but for the moment, he didn’t know what to do.

Therefore, he stopped meditating and temporarily gave up improving his strength. He was adjusting his state. He also wanted to think seriously about what he should do next when he was the most peaceful inwardly.

He must do something!

Must!

“I should do something.”

Li Tianlan suddenly said calmly, with his back to Deep Dream behind him.

“What do you want to do, Young Master?”

Deep Dream remained silent for a few seconds and said slowly, “I am willing to do it.”

“No.”

Li Tianlan shook his head. “I’ll do it, not you.”

He turned his head and smiled at Deep Dream, whose enchanting face was full of doubt. “Not the same.”

Deep Dream blinked her bright eyes and said nothing.

The current Li Tianlan was completely different from the one whom she first met. He had become quite a different person.

When she first saw this Young Governor, he was calm, but behind the calmness, she could clearly feel the seriousness and sharpness that overwhelmed her.

But now…

He was still calm, but there was a sense of elusiveness about him, showing that he really relaxed. He stood there casually, and his gentleness and sharpness were gone. He was as calm as a deep pool, as ethereal as mist, and as cold as ice.

In this state, Li Tianlan’s every move carried the most essential truth and softness.

The most real things were often the most easily to be overlooked.

Ideas flashed through Deep Dream’s mind. When she saw the smile that gradually emerged in Li Tianlan’s eyes, she was startled.

Opposite her, the Young Governor, who was still a youth, had eyes as clear as water. His soft eyes, however, had a power that seemed to see through the soul and make anyone who looked at them lose his presence of mind.

“I don’t quite get you, Young Master.”

Deep Dream unconsciously avoided Li Tianlan’s gaze.

“How is my ident.i.ty in Zhongzhou State today?”

Li Tianlan said softly, not knowing whether he was asking Deep Dream or himself. He fumbled for a cigarette and lit it. Looking at the cigarettes in the black wooden box, a specialty that belonged to the w.a.n.g family of Beihai, he was in a trance.

“You’re quite n.o.ble.”

Deep Dream said without hesitation.

Li Tianlan’s current ident.i.ty may be controversial, but despite being the son of a traitor, he still had the halo as the Young Governor of Sigh City.

In Zhongzhou State, Sigh City was a well-deserved giant-level force. Its Governor Situ Cangyue was known as the Hidden G.o.d of Zhongzhou State and possessed Setting Sun, one of the 12 Murderous Weapons. Even if it couldn’t compare with the w.a.n.g family of Beihai and Kunlun City, it was a real behemoth.

Li Tianlan was now the Young Governor of Sigh City and one of the three young Heavenly Sons of Zhongzhou State. His status was by no means low. It was not an exaggeration to say that he was n.o.ble.

“Yeah, but don’t you think it’s too desolate here?”

Li Tianlan said insipidly.

Deep Dream raised her eyebrows. Before she could speak, Li Tianlan continued, “I have a sensitive background, but since I can still stay in East Island, the matter itself has already indicated that the higher-ups have had a relatively clear att.i.tude. I had a close relationship with Samsara before, and the situation was not clear, so it made sense that so many people did nothing but watch. But now things are different. After the meeting held the day before yesterday, we divided the defensive zones, and I became the Young Governor of Sigh City. But how many people have come to visit us these days?”

Deep Dream seemed to think about something.

At the meeting held the day before yesterday, Military Counselor of Samsara Palace successfully joined up with G.o.d of Army of Zhongzhou State. After careful planning, they temporarily divided Changdao into three closely linked defensive zones to better cope with the coming final battle. The three defensive zones were, in fact, three evacuation routes. To think of defeat for the sake of victory. The views of Military Counselor and G.o.d of Army on this point were surprisingly consistent. They also planned very carefully. Even if they lost the final battle, as long as they could guard a defensive zone, elites of Zhongzhou State would have a route of retreat. If they were all together, there was a much higher chance that they would all get caught.

Now, the three defensive zones were closely connected, and the three groups of people could quickly support each other when they were in different places. In this way, it was impossible for East Island to eliminate the elites of Zhongzhou State in one place with the greatest force. After all, this wasn’t a final battle between the two sides, but a free fight among many parties. In addition to Zhongzhou State, there were teams of various dark forces. Although East Island had home-field advantage and personnel advantage, all of the forces glared at it like a tiger watching his prey, which showed that East Island was doomed to dare not fight against any force recklessly.

This final battle was the defense of East Island, but for all forces outside East Island, it was a military offensive.

The advance and retreat between offense and defense, at the right time, was enough to create a huge advantage.

Sigh City was in charge of the No. 3 defensive zone. It was centered on the clubhouse at Li Tianlan’s feet and was closest to the edge of the battlefield. Meanwhile, Mount Shu was also divided into the No. 3 defensive zone.

The w.a.n.g family of Beihai was responsible for the No. 2 defensive zone, and several Super Masters of Samsara Palace would normally stay in the No. 2 defensive zone, but they did not belong to a particular area, because they had to offer full support.

Kunlun City was in charge of the No. 1 defensive zone, and meanwhile, the Eastern Theater of Operations was also divided into the No. 1 defensive zone.

The forces involved in the battle of Changdao were not only these forces from Zhongzhou State. On the contrary, there were too many forces and agencies. It was hard to come up with the most detailed plan at a single meeting, and the higher-ups had just divided the strongest or largest forces into three defensive zones. As for the remaining secret service agencies, they were free to choose their defensive zones and could wait for the final list of the three defensive zones before making any changes.

Now, it had been one day after the end of the meeting. There was no shortage of forces choosing to join the No. 3 defensive zone, but far too many entered the No. 2 and No. 1 defensive zone.

In Li Tianlan’s view, this was not a normal phenomenon at all.

In Zhongzhou State, Kunlun City and the w.a.n.g family of Beihai were indeed stronger than Sigh City, but they were in East Island. The final battle was just around the corner, and what mattered was the strength of these forces in East Island.

Strictly speaking, the strength of Sigh City in East Island was not weaker than that of the other two defensive zones.

At least in terms of top experts, Tribulation, known as the Lord of Shadow in the Dark World, was slightly powerful than Firmament in the No. 2 defensive zone and Gu Zhendong in the No. 1 defensive zone.

In terms of strength and prestige, the only one who could compare with Tribulation was Gongsun Qi, General of Nine Heavens, codenamed the Azure Dragon.

But it was impossible for Gongsun Qi and his Terracotta Army to stay in a particular defensive zone. After all, they were the most aggressive special team.

At least in Li Tianlan’s view, if anyone really compared the power invested by several significant forces in East Island, he would find that Sigh City was at least not weaker than the w.a.n.g family of Beihai and was slightly stronger than Kunlun City.

That was what made Li Tianlan a little confused.

Kunlun City was strongly supportive of this national plan and was even the most critical promoter. It established the Snowdance Corps. Furthermore, Gu Qianchuan, an Invincible Realm expert, went to northern Europe as the commander of the army. Kunlun City indeed invested a lot. However, it invested not much in East Island.

Invincible Realm expert Gu Zhendong.

Ice Crystal and Ice Frost.

Gu Yunxia.

Gu Hanshan.

They seemed to be the main high-end forces.

And the weirdest thing was that the higher-ups even acquiesced in the list carrying minimal input.

The reason behind this was worth pondering.

Li Tianlan did not want to think too deeply. He only knew that when Kunlun City’s input in East Island was not as great as that of Sigh City, far more people were willing to join the No. 1 defensive zone than the No. 3 defensive zone. The matter itself explained everything.

It even showed that many people didn’t approve of him. They did not approve of Sigh City’s willingness to accept him, or the fact that it even made him the Young Governor.

There may be stances and grievances involved, but obviously, they didn’t think highly of Sigh City. The ultimate cause was that he became the Young Governor of Sigh City.

The halo around his head, or his own strength, seemed weaker than those of the other two Heavenly Sons.

So Li Tianlan must do something. At the very least, he needed to do something convincing in this final battle.

For Li Tianlan, this was crucial to his development after his return to Zhongzhou State.

“If I go to fight w.a.n.g Shengxiao now, and I can beat him, I think there will be many more people who are willing to join the No. 3 defensive zone.”

Li Tianlan was silent for a while and then said with a smile.

Deep Dream was slightly shocked.

Although w.a.n.g Shengxiao from the w.a.n.g family of Beihai was also known as one of the three young Heavenly Sons of Zhongzhou State today, in the hearts of the majority of people, he had become a leading figure of the young generation of Zhongzhou State. He was a Thunder-shocking Realm genius who possessed Wind and Thunder Veins and top martial inheritance. Deep Dream was under a lot of pressure even if she just thought of such a person.

Her Young Governor was a few years younger than w.a.n.g Xiaosheng was after all.

“Can you win?”

Deep Dream asked softly, biting her red lip.

“We won’t fight to the death. It’s just a simple compet.i.tion. I cannot win.”

Li Tianlan shook his head honestly.

“Why are you in such a hurry to compete with Shengxiao? The future Zhongzhou State is destined to be yours. When you return to Zhongzhou State, there are plenty of opportunities for you to compete with him. I don’t think he will refuse.”

A loud laugh suddenly sounded down the hill, heroic and unrestrained.

Li Tianlan raised his eyebrows and looked down.

In his sight, a robust man was walking up the hill, smiling at him.

The man was handsome, about forty years old. He was full of masculinity and looked mighty and burly. He was dressed in plain clothes, but he walked instinctively with a majestic gait and the demeanor of a soldier. Li Tianlan frowned, and his gaze subconsciously fell on the man’s chest and shoulders.

There were no epaulets on the shoulders of the man, but there was a vague, dagger-like mark on his chest, with only a faint outline.

“General w.a.n.g? Morning.”

Li Tianlan knew the mark very well. He greeted the man with a smile.

Throughout the Dark World, only a unit of Zhongzhou State would use such a vague mark.

That was the Shadow Sting Army, which claimed to be the largest special forces unit in Zhongzhou State!

Although the Shadow Sting Army was a special forces unit, it had always received the dual management of the Army Headquarters and Kunlun City. It was extremely significant in the Special Warfare System of Zhongzhou State. Its first in command was the deputy commander of a theatre of operations with the rank of Lieutenant and had both power and prestige. Today, the leadership of the Shadow Sting Army was in the hands of the Southeast Group, and it was the member of the w.a.n.g family of Beihai who served as the leader.

The handsome man in his prime before Li Tianlan was undoubtedly one of the key figures of the w.a.n.g family of Beihai and the top leader of the Shadow Sting Army, Lieutenant General w.a.n.g Zhaoliang.

The w.a.n.g family of Beihai was extremely complex inside. A super giant that had always been in its heyday was by no means simple and could not only have one or two generations. Apart from the lineal branch led by w.a.n.g Tianzong, there were more than ten collateral branches. And each branch was extremely prosperous, adding up to hundreds of people and forming a real clan. w.a.n.g Zhaoliang’s kinship with the lineal descendants of the w.a.n.g family of Beihai was far, but he had a close friendship with w.a.n.g Xiaoyao. w.a.n.g Shengxiao was also very polite to him. No matter what the occasion, w.a.n.g Shengxiao would call him Sixth Uncle. His status in the w.a.n.g family of Beihai was self-evident.

Moreover, when communicating by telephone with Princ.i.p.al Zhuang Huayang, Li Tianlan heard him mention w.a.n.g Zhaoliang and the Shadow Sting Army. It was said that w.a.n.g Zhaoliang once received the instruction of Great Master Wuwei. He made meteoric rises in his career since his youth and still had the potential to rise. This time, if w.a.n.g Shengxiao lost the compet.i.tion for the position as the General of Nine Regions of the Terracotta Army, the w.a.n.g family of Beihai was likely to make him take charge of the Shadow Sting Army after several years of acc.u.mulation and push w.a.n.g Zhaoliang to a higher level.

Li Tianlan would not be careless when facing such a person who was not one of the lineal descendants but was a crucial figure in the w.a.n.g family of Beihai. He shook hands with w.a.n.g Zhaoliang and again volunteered to ask, “Did you come here for a walk, general?”

“It’s a fine day for a walk, but how shall I have the time?”

w.a.n.g Zhaoliang smiled and said, “I came especially to find you.”

Li Tianlan remained calm and asked gently with a smile, “What can I do for you, general?”

“The Shadow Sting Army wants to ally with you. What do you think, Young Master Li?”

w.a.n.g Zhaoliang was a standard soldier. He was straightforward and preferred to come straight to the point. However, there was profound meaning behind his words.

It was the Shadow Sting Army who formed an alliance with him.

Not the w.a.n.g family of Beihai.

In fact, the Shadow Sting Army had always been considered part of the force that the w.a.n.g family of Beihai invested in East Island, and of course, they were divided into the No. 2 defensive zone that the w.a.n.g family of Beihai took control of.

What was the profound meaning of this alliance?

There was the Shadow Sting Army between the w.a.n.g family of Beihai and Sigh City.

Was this alliance the goodwill of the w.a.n.g family of Beihai?

Nevertheless, the w.a.n.g family of Beihai kept itself out of the affair. In this way, it could attack while advancing and defend while retreating. How much sincerity could such goodwill possess?

Li Tianlan squinted and smiled. “I will take your suggestion seriously, general. I don’t know what the alliance that you mentioned specifically mean…”

“If we are allies, naturally, our priority is to support each other. Furthermore, we’ll share some resources and intelligence.”

w.a.n.g Zhaoliang’s voice sounded resonant.

Something flashed through Li Tianlan’s mind, but he said nothing.

The w.a.n.g family of Beihai still occupied a vast expanse of East Island’s territory. Their force had infiltrated almost every corner of East Island and was particularly mighty in intelligence. Although Li Tianlan was now the Young Governor of Sigh City, there was no problem if he wanted to use the unique channel of Samsara. Thus, the sharing seemed harmless.

However, the goodwill of the w.a.n.g family of Beihai this time confused him. Was there really any intelligence to be shared at this stage?

Or did he need the information that wasn’t about East Island?

A cold light flashed across Li Tianlan’s eyes.

Did the w.a.n.g family of Beihai detect anything? Or were they trying to find out the special channel of Samsara under the guise of sharing intelligence?

“In terms of intelligence, the foundation of Sigh City in East Island is relatively weak, and thus, we cannot help the Shadow Sting Army. But in terms of resources and support, we are willing to ally with you, general.”

After a moment of silence, Li Tianlan said in a steady voice.

A peculiar light gleamed in w.a.n.g Zhaoliang’s eyes. He seemed to want to say something, but finally, he refrained from saying what he was thinking. Then, with a smile, he said, “Okay. We are willing to exchange the weapons of the Shadow Sting Army with you, Young Master Li. If you like any of them, please don’t hesitate to let us know. If Sigh City needs help, we’ll offer our support as soon as possible.”

Li Tianlan nodded and agreed verbally.

The few Super Masters of Samsara guarded the No. 2 defensive zone in the middle, but they could not be regarded as members of that zone because they were destined to support all the allies. And everybody, including Li Tianlan, believed that if they were in trouble, these Super Masters of Samsara would definitely come to their aid as soon as possible at all costs. Li Tianlan didn’t know if the w.a.n.g family of Beihai sensed something odd, but at the very least, through this alliance, they hoped to get some support from the Super Masters of Samsara. In exchange, of course, the Shadow Sting Army’s support was vital to Sigh City as well.

“Well… Young Master Li, wish us pleasant cooperation.”

w.a.n.g Zhaoliang smiled and reached out. “Besides, I’ve been asked to bring you a message.”

He slightly lowered his voice and continued, “Although it seems that Kunlun City invested a little this time, in fact, they invested the most in East Island. Young Master Li, be careful.”

Li Tianlan’s eyes suddenly became deep. He looked at w.a.n.g Zhaoliang for a long while and then slowly asked, “Who asked you to bring me this message?”

w.a.n.g Zhaoliang laughed but said nothing.

“Samsara?”

Li Tianlan’s eyes grew focused.

w.a.n.g Zhaoliang laughed. After saying that he wished them pleasant cooperation, he turned and went down the mountain.

Li Tianlan looked at his back in silence and did not speak for a long time.

“Young master, we cannot easily believe the w.a.n.g family of Beihai… I received some secret news. It is said that the w.a.n.g family of Beihai and Kunlun City seem to be planning something, mostly because of you.”

Deep Dream said, standing behind Li Tianlan.

Li Tianlan waved his hand, silently fished out his mobile phone, and opened the communication software.

The account of Qin Weibai was still lying in the address book with the same profile picture, quiet and unchanging.

On the white paper were two lines of small, beautiful handwriting.

“Who are you to me?”

“Everything I have is you.”

Li Tianlan moved his fingers in silence and slowly typed words.

“Was it you who told me the news about Kunlun City through w.a.n.g Zhaoliang?”

No response.

Li Tianlan did not give up and continued typing. “Don’t worry about anything. I know what to do.”

“If I were strong enough, everything would not be like this today?”

“I will become stronger. The strongest.”

Still no response.

The top of Li Tianlan’s message was the three words that Qin Weibai sent him, but he never responded.

“I miss you.”

Li Tianlan breathed deeply and suddenly smiled. He continued to type. “You’re the woman that the few invincible giants in the Dark World have been dreaming of, but I had s.e.x with you several times since we met. Little Bai, do you think I’m the strongest?”

His phone vibrated.

Qin Weibai finally replied to his message with two simple words: wicked man.

Li Tianlan laughed, put away his mobile phone, and looked into the sky.

Basked in the sunshine of the third day, he could clearly feel that something was approaching.

It was getting closer.